According to the 2011 Census, Bury’s population is 185,100 and likely to rise to nearly 200,000 by 2021. Currently 20% of the population are under 16 and 64% are of working age. There are slightly more women at 51.1%, which is slightly higher than the national average.

The 2011 Census showed the BME population in Bury is growing and was up from 7.5% in 2001 to 11% in Bury. The largest ethnic group in Bury is of South Asian heritage (Pakistani, Indian & Bangladeshi) at 7.1%. Most of these communities live in Bury East ward, which is one of the top 10 most deprived wards in England. In terms of religion, the Muslim community in the Borough is at 6.1% with the Jewish community at 5.6%.